An hour after the declaration of war against humanity in Kanazawa City.

　Twenty-seven humans have surrendered. The surrendered humans were given generous hospitality and live video footage of the territories. They urged their friends and acquaintances to surrender under their watchful eye.

　Three hours after Kanazawa City declared war on humanity.

　Their steady efforts to manipulate information were successful, and the number of people who surrendered has grown to 1,087 in total.

Now, that's right on time.

　--Ilo, honey, hoheto!　Begin the invasion!

　I gave my frontline officers the order to invade Kanazawa City.

　My smartphone shows my men advancing with a crowd of ghouls moaning in delight.

　What I need to do is to assess the humanity's strength in Kanazawa City.

　In preparation for the real battle that will follow after the diversion, we must assess the strength of each individual and the skill level of the group battle.

　If there are enough human beings that we feel we can hand over our divine weapons, it's not a bad idea to set our sights on them.

　Zhuzhou City's Sword Saint - Sayama Toratetsu was a strong opponent, but how good was the hero of Kanazawa City?

　I was concentrating on the screen of my smartphone, which was showing the front lines.


　◆


　It's been four hours since the city of Kanazawa declared war on humanity.

　The sound of crawling ghouls' footsteps and eerie moaning sounds flow from your smartphone. And the clamor of humanity flowing in the wind. On the screen, a group of more than 10,000 armed humans lined up in front of the main gate of Ishikawa University.

'How many human beings do you think there are?'
''Well........the number of people in the Astor Empire is about 120,000.
Since some of the humans may be waiting in the university... maybe 50,000?
''Hmmm.......I'm not sure. Kanazawa City has a population of 300,000 and Hakusan City has a population of 100,000. It's said that the number of humans who have died since the Great Transformation is said to be about 30 percent. That leaves 280,000 people left in Kanazawa and Hakusan cities. However, I think there are many people who escaped from cities like Komatsu and Kaga. The total population of Komatsu, Nomi, Nonomi, Kawakita and Kaga cities is about 200,000. If half of them escaped from the northern part of the prefecture, the total population would be 100,000 more. Since some other people may have escaped from the northern part of the prefecture, the total population would be 400,000 if we add 20,000 people to the total.

　Kanon answers my question with a slurred answer like a chief strategist. The reason Kanon is called a search tool is not only because of its high status [knowledge]. It was also derived from the depth of knowledge through Kanon's unique special ability called 《Instantaneous Memory》.

　Kanon continued to speak without seeming to get carried away as usual.

''This is a nationwide statistic, but.......the number of humans with combat experience is fifty percent of the total.

　Including all human beings, from children to the elderly - 50% of human beings have experienced combat. Until three years ago, many of us lived our lives without ever having to fight. Normally, 50% of human beings - one in two - would never have experienced combat.

　How did we arrive at this result?

　To survive?　Or to protect someone important to you?　-- could be a reason, but not a factor.

　Then the factor is...?　--[World Salvation Project].

　A god, a goddess, a mastermind -- a power (gift) bestowed by an unidentified being called by various names. Or through curses and abominable power, humanity unexpectedly gained the ability to fight. And the world has been transformed into a cowering world where conflict is easily waged as the mastermind wishes.

　When I responded, Kanon continued to speak.

'In that case, Kanazawa City and Hakusan City - there are only 200,000 people left in the prefecture who can fight. However, the percentage of humans who are actively engaged in battle is, according to statistics, 30% of the total - in other words, 120,000 people. Ishikawa University is an important frontline base for humanity in the city of Kanazawa. Furthermore, this will be the first time that we, the Astor Empire, will be fighting head-on against it. Based on the above, humanity will put in the majority of the war effort - 100,000 people, right?　I suppose, how about that?

　Kanon smiles one last time and looks me in the eye with a twinkle in his eye.

'Not a bad guess,'
Do you have anything to add?

　Kanon's manly expression from earlier has disappeared and he asks me with a smug look on his face.

It's a good thing. It's a good idea to have an interesting look on your face to the end, you might be able to become a general counselor.
''--na!''

　I cower my shoulders and begin to focus on my smartphone screen again.

　If the number of humanity is 100,000, 2000 ghouls is a heavy burden. Will they succeed to this extent in a diversion........

　Will it last until the Demon King Kaoru launches the 《Ruling》?

　I'll order our reinforcements to be ready to move at once.

"My sworn enemy--I appeal to the Demon King Theon!　We, the Kanazawa Liberation Army, will not bow down to you!

　Suddenly, a young man's voice flows from the speaker of his smartphone.

　The Kanazawa Liberation Army, a group of human beings who rule over the southern part of Kanazawa City and Hakusan City.

　Are their leaders the "Sage of Kanazawa" and the "Saints of Kanazawa"?　There can't be a saint in terms of voice. So, is the owner of this voice 'The Sage of Kanazawa'?

'Yes!　We will never give in!　We're not the same as we were back then...!'

　Then a young woman's voice plays through the speakers of her smartphone.

　Is the owner of this voice 'The Saint of Kanazawa'?

　I mean, what do you mean by 'we're not the same as we were back then'?　Are you one of the humans who invaded my domain and escaped?

　 I've never experienced the liberation of a controlled area, but the number of humans who have invaded my controlled area and returned home alive is surprisingly high.

"Now is the time to strike you down!
"Our longing!
"Our most valued colleague...
"My dearest friend...
''I will avenge Rina!

　--What?

　I was stunned by the familiar names of the subordinates that came out of the enemy's mouth.